VARIOUS INTERPETATIONS OF TATHĀGATAGARBHA IN MAHĀYĀNA MAHĀPARINIRVĀṆA SŪTRA

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the different concepts of tathāgatagarbha in the Mahāyānan Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra and to analyze the suitability of those concepts. Buddhadhātu is closely related in meaning to the term tathāgatagarbha in Mahāparinirvāṇa Sūtra, which affi rms that all sentient beings have buddhadhātu (buddha
nature). Furthermore, the Buddha-Nature (tathāgatagarbha) is the Self, but sentient beings cannot see it because it is covered by delusion. However, buddhadhātu is the embryo of a tathāgata as the potential to realize enlightenment which we all possess or as perfect enlightenment itself.